The high-speed rail program is designed to extend the life of an existing high-speed rail corridor planning and technology development program.

Funding Features

The high-speed rail provisions of TEA-21 extend authorizations of appropriations for the existing high-speed rail assistance program created in the Swift Rail Development Act of 1994 (49 U.S.C. 26101 et seq.). [7201]

The TEA-21 authorization covers fiscal years 1998-2001 and is a General Fund authorization, which means that the funds must be made available in an Appropriations Act before the program can be implemented.

The Secretary is authorized to provide financial assistance for up to 50 percent of the publicly financed costs of corridor planning activities and up to the full cost of technology improvements.

Eligible Use of Funds

The program authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance:

to public agencies for high speed rail corridor planning activities and certain other pre-construction activities, including right of way acquisition

to any United States business, educational institution, State or local government, public authority, or Federal agency to support the development of high-speed rail technology improvements<